Wayne/Pike Farm Bureau Promotes New Book Program

The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau's State Women's Leadership Committee announced that a new program designed to encourage children to learn more about where their food comes from has been a huge success.

Comment

By Kelly Waters

Wayne Independent - Honesdale, PA

By Kelly Waters

Posted Sep. 20, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Updated Sep 21, 2012 at 2:12 PM

By Kelly Waters

Posted Sep. 20, 2012 at 12:00 AM
Updated Sep 21, 2012 at 2:12 PM

HONESDALE

-The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau's State Women's Leadership Committee announced that a new program designed to encourage children to learn more about where their food comes from has been a huge success.

Members of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau purchased 1,449 books, the largest out of any state participating in the FARM-tastic book program.

"The book is called How Did That Get in My Lunchbox? The Story of Food," says Bonnie LaTourette, PA and Wayne-Pike Farm Bureau. "It was awarded the 2012 Book of the Year by the American Farm Bureau Federation. The majority of the books that were purchased by farmers were donated to day care centers, public libraries, elementary schools, and other learning facilities."

The Wayne/Pike Farm Bureau purchased nine of the books, which were donated to the Wayne County Public Library, the Pike County Public Library, Manchester Library, Bethany Library, Northern Wayne Library, Pleasant Mount Library, Hawley Library, the Community Library of Lake & Salem, and Newfoundland Library.

Directors of the libraries were given the books Tuesday.

"We want to use this as a way to get the public educated about agriculture," says LaTourette. "Children don't realize that food doesn't just come off the shelf."

The book highlights many different agricultural areas including dairy, fruits, vegetables, poultry, grains and meats. It also shows the reader where each item of a healthy lunch is grown, processed and shipped to stores.

"I think it's going to be a great addition to the libraries," says Molly Rodgers, Director of the Wayne County Public Library. "We'll be able to share the book with children then talk about what they see on the road. We want to help them make the connections."

According to a release that was sent out, the FARM-tastic book program is a prime example of how county and state Women's Leadership Committees aim to teach children where their food comes from and tell the story of agriculture starting at a young age.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau is the state's largest farm organization with a volunteer membership of more than 55,000 farm and rural families, representing farms of every size and commodity across Pennsylvania.